Daily press briefing by Ministry Deputy Spokesperson

EUROPEAN HERITAGE DAYS

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs marked European Heritage open days by opening to the public its building on the Quai d’Orsay and the château at La Celle Saint-Cloud.

The number of visitors, nearly 13,000 divided between the Quai d’Orsay (7,800) and La Celle Saint-Cloud (5,000), was up sharply over last year when nearly 9,000 people came. The success is due in large part to opening up the entire estate at La Celle Saint-Cloud.

In the Galerie de la Paix at the Quai d’Orsay, visitors could see documents from special archives, plus exhibitions, particularly on Europe, and a presentation of the applied arts in heritage conservation.

Ministry officials who were present answered questions from the public about how the Ministry operates and the way in which its buildings and property are used on a daily basis for the needs of French diplomacy.

SPAIN/TERRORISM

Q. - Do you have any reaction to the ETA car-bombing that killed a solider in Spain during the night?

France condemns in the strongest possible terms the wave of attacks carried out this weekend in Santona, Vitoria and Ondarroa which resulted in the death of a Spanish soldier.

She offers her sincere condolences to the victim’s family and friends, and extends her sympathy to the 11 people wounded in these attacks.

France is resolutely fighting terrorism side by side with Spain. Spain can count on France’s unwavering solidarity and determination in pursuing this cooperation.

This was reaffirmed today by the Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Bernard Kouchner, in messages to his Spanish counterpart, Miguel-Angel Moratinos, and the Spanish ambassador in Paris.

GEORGIA

Q. - Do you have a definite timetable for the deployment of European Union observers in Georgia and can you give us details about the national contingents in this mission?

The head of the mission and his deputy have arrived in Tbilisi to prepare for the deployment of the European Union observer mission.

The objective, which we have every reason to think will be achieved, is to deploy the mission by 1 October in accordance with the 8 September agreement.

We hail the work done by the staff of the Council’s secretariat general and the rapidity with which our partners have mobilized to make a large number of monitors available for the mission.

With regard to the national contingents making up the mission, about 20 States are participating. It is customary for States themselves to announce their contribution. In the case of France, the leading contributor, we’re providing 46 monitors.

IRAN/NUCLEAR ISSUE

Q. - Could you tell us more about the Six-party talks in Washington on Friday on Iran? In France’s view, what is the prevailing sentiment in the group at this time? How do you interpret Friday’s reserved statements by the German government about new international sanctions against Iran?

The political directors of the Six met in Washington on 19 September to review the Iranian nuclear question following the latest report from the IAEA Director General.

The purpose of the meeting was to prepare for the meeting of the Six foreign ministers in New York on 25 September during the UN General Assembly.

The political directors reaffirmed their support for the dual-track approach combining dialogue and sanctions with a view to reaching a negotiated solution that would answer the international community’s concerns.

The Six expressed their concern that Iran still refuses to comply with the Security Council resolutions and to provide answers to the very precise questions the IAEA has asked. The Six renewed their support for the Agency’s action.

As for the German statements you refer to, I did not see them as an expression of reservations but rather a wish to see progress towards negotiation. That is also our position.

Germany continues as we do to strongly support the E3+3 approach combining dialogue and firmness.

SYRIA/NUCLEAR ISSUE

Q. - The head of the IAEA said the Agency has no proof at this stage that there was nuclear material at the presumed nuclear sites in Syria. How do you evaluate this statement? Are you in contact with the IAEA in this regard?

The samples taken from the Syrian sites are still being examined so it is premature to comment on the results of their analysis.

We call on Syria to cooperate with the IAEA so as to fully explain her past and present nuclear activities.

SOUTH AFRICA

Q. - What’s your reaction to South African President Thabo Mbeki’s resignation?

We pay tribute to Thabo Mbeki’s action as President of South Africa since 1999 and particularly his commitment to peace and security on the African continent.

IRAN

Q. - Could you confirm that the French Ambassador to Iran was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tehran? What was the purpose?

The French Ambassador to Iran was indeed summoned to the Iranian Foreign Minister on 21 September.

The Iranian authorities wished to inform the presidency of the European Union of their concern at the organization of a rally in Cologne which they considered anti-Islam.

Our ambassador pointed out that this was a local matter concerning the city of Cologne, not the federal German government or European institutions.

As you know, the rally in Cologne, which was strongly opposed by civil society, was finally banned.

ISRAEL

Q. - Do you have any comment on the official resignation of Ehud Olmert and its impact on the peace process owing to the somewhat confused situation in Israel?

The day after the Israeli Prime Minister’s resignation, France wishes to extend her sincere thanks to Ehud Olmert for his action to advance the peace negotiations begun with the Palestinian Authority.

France hopes that Israel’s future government is pragmatic and determined in seizing every chance to conclude a just and lasting peace in coming months with the representatives of the Palestinian people as the parties pledged at the Annapolis conference last November.

CUBA/EUROPEAN UNION

You asked last Friday about European aid to Cuba. We looked into it and here’s how things stand.

The European Union has offered humanitarian aid to the Caribbean countries affected by the cyclones, and therefore to Cuba which has been badly hit by these natural phenomena.

So far the Cuban authorities have not responded to the offer./.